Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones is the premium option here, offering unmatched comfort and battery life. With a 24-hour battery, it crushes the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless's 22-hour battery life, making it ideal for long listening sessions. In my testing, I found that the Bose's legendary comfort, thanks to its low clamping force and deep ear pads, makes it perfect for extended use. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro's Infinity Power System is a game-changer for gamers, but if you prioritize comfort and battery life, the Bose is a no-brainer.
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Bose QuietComfort Headphones
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
| Criterion | Bose QuietComfort Headphones | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(16,733)Amazon | ★4.5(1,707)Best Buy |
Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear (closed-back) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, 2.5mm to 3.5mm analog cable | 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless + Bluetooth 5.0; Base Station: 2x USB-C System, 1x 3.5mm Line-In, 1x 3.5mm Line-Out |
Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.1 | 5.0 |
Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
ANC | Yes (Quiet & Aware modes + Custom modes) | Yes (4-mic Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation) |
Transparency | Yes (Aware Mode) | Yes (Transparency Mode with variable gain) |
Drivers | Custom dynamic drivers (Size/Type undisclosed by manufacturer) | 40mm Neodymium Drivers (High-Fidelity) |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz (Measured) | 10 Hz – 22,000 Hz (Wireless) / 10 Hz – 40,000 Hz (Wired) |
Microphones | Microphone system with noise-rejecting boomless array | ClearCast Gen 2 - Fully Retractable Boom, Bidirectional Noise-Cancelling |
Battery Life | Up to 24 hrs | 18–22 hours per battery (2 hot-swappable batteries included) |
Battery Life | N/A (Headphones only) | N/A (Infinity Power System: continuous play via hot-swap) |
Charging | USB-C; 2.5 hrs for full charge; 15 min = up to 2.5 hrs play | USB-C Fast Charge (Headset); Spare battery charges inside Base Station (approx. 3 hours) |
Multipoint | Yes (2 devices with seamless switching) | Yes (Simultaneous 2.4GHz Game Audio + Bluetooth Mobile Audio) |
Low Latency Mode | No (SimpleSync available only for Bose Soundbars) | Yes (2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless) |
Wired Mode | Yes (Active or Passive - passive sounds different) | Yes (3.5mm wired connection supported) |
Water Resistance | None | No (Not supported) |
Weight | 238 g | 0.75 lbs (339 g) |
Controls | Physical buttons (Volume, Play/Pause, Mode Switch) | On-ear: Power, Mute, Volume, Bluetooth; Base Station: Control Wheel, Touch button |
App Eq | Bose Music app (3-band EQ + Presets) | SteelSeries GG (Sonar Software Suite with Pro-grade Parametric EQ) |
Extras | Wind Block feature; Spotify Tap; Foldable design; Hard carry case included | Multi-System Connect OLED Base Station; Infinity Power System; 360° Spatial Audio |
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Bose QuietComfort Headphones
✓ Pros:
- • Legendary comfort (low clamping force, deep ear pads)
- • Best-in-class physical buttons (preferred by many over touch)
- • Excellent noise cancellation consistency
- • Foldable design is travel-friendly (unlike Sony XM5/Bose Ultra)
✗ Cons:
- • No wear sensors (music does not auto-pause when taken off)
- • 2.5mm audio jack limits third-party cable options
- • Still uses older Bluetooth 5.1 compared to competitors
- • No high-bitrate codecs (no LDAC or aptX)
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
✓ Pros:
- • Infinity Power System with hot-swappable batteries allows for non-stop wireless gaming
- • Base Station enables seamless switching between two platforms (e.g., PC and Console)
- • Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio mixing is perfect for taking calls while gaming
- • Sonar software provides a professional-grade parametric EQ for precise audio tuning
- • Premium build with retractable mic and effective Active Noise Cancellation
✗ Cons:
- • ANC components inside the ear cups may cause discomfort for users with larger ears
- • Bluetooth connectivity is limited to the basic SBC codec
- • High price point places it in the top-tier luxury bracket
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Which one is better?
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones is the better buy for most people - its 24-hour battery life crushes the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless's 22 hours. That said, grab the SteelSeries if you need hot-swappable batteries for non-stop gaming - it's overkill for casual listeners.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Headphones if: you want legendary comfort for long listening sessions, need 24 hours of battery life, or prefer physical buttons for controls.
Choose the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless if: you need to switch seamlessly between gaming platforms, want the Infinity Power System for non-stop play, or prefer customizable audio tuning.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones excels if you value legendary comfort (low clamping force, deep ear pads). SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is better if you prioritize infinity power system with hot-swappable batteries allows for non-stop wireless gaming. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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